Veteran WMUK news director dies at age 51
Jan. 1, 1998
WMUK FM's Anthony E. (Tony) Griffin died Dec. 30 in Kalamazoo.
He was 51 and succumbed to cancer, which had been diagnosed a
few months before his death.
In reporting Griffin's death, media colleagues at the Kalamazoo
Gazette referred to Griffin as "the local dean of political
reporting who defined public radio news in southwestern Michigan
for nearly 25 years."
Griffin came to WMU in 1973 as the public radio station's
first full-time news person. He would have celebrated his 25th
service anniversary as WMUK's news and public affairs director
in March. Under his leadership, the station won numerous awards
from Voice of America, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Michigan
Associated Press, the Michigan Association of Broadcasting and
the Michigan Bar Association.
A WMU alumnus, Griffin had served as president of WMU's Administrative
Professional Association since 1995. In 1993, he received the
APA's Outstanding Professional Award. He also was active in many
other organizations, including serving on the boards of directors
of the Public Radio News Directors Inc., InterCom: The Association
of Professional Communicators, the Kalamazoo-Cass chapter of
the American Red Cross and Van Buren County Community Corrections.
Griffin was born Sept. 22, 1946, in Baltimore. He is survived
by his wife, Robin, a daughter, Kallie, and his mother, Jean
McEvoy. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Contributions may be made to the Duane Roberts Scholarship Fund.
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